ISIS faces extinction in central Syria – Map update

A grand pincer movement against the so-called Islamic State is taking place in central Syria. At both the northern and the southern prongs of this pincer is a seemingly restless force of men – fighting not only the terrorist group, but also time – with one immediate goal in mind: al-Sukhnah.

Everyday, and on multiple fronts, advances are being made by pro-government forces against ISIS to realize this massive encirclement scheme, the latest summary of which is as follows.

If and when the jaws of this great pincer do slam shut, then swallowed away will be the hope of ISIS to ever maintain a presence in the heart of Syria. Those jihadists who choose to remain in eastern Hama and not surrender after the completion of the encirclement now taking place around them will most certainly die and, more so, before the end of 2017. In fact, even the hopes of survival for the Islamic State’s moderate cousins further to the west will die with the terrorist group in central Syria, just at a slightly later time.